Matthew 8:28-34
28 When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
29 They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
31 The demons pleaded with him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
32 And he said to them, "Go then!" They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned.
33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
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There is a tremendous contrast between the behavior of the demons that Christ encounters, and the townspeople who witness that encounter.
The demons, which can see the spiritual world, immediately recognize the Son of God, submit to His authority, and beg him for mercy. That's what the demons do, and they are slaves to the sin of pride.
The townspeople ... BEG HIM TO LEAVE! Even after they've seen him drive out the demons, they want him to go.
Think about that for a minute. Those who were created in God's image want God incarnate to leave them. They don't want to face him. They'd rather go back to their lives in the flesh and deal with day to day worries, than walk toward the ultimate spiritual light.
What does that say about man? How willing are we to see the Christ that exists around us? How willing are we to submit to His authority? Are we willing to do what he says, or are we going to continue man's age-old story of neglecting God's will?
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